Joplin City Council Regular Meeting - May 4, 2026

The Joplin City Council held its regular meeting on May 4, 2026. The council approved rezoning requests, special use permits, demolition contracts, and a resolution recognizing retiring Public Information Officer Lynn Onstadt. A proposal to adjust golf course fees for veterans and city employees was stricken from the agenda after discussion, with plans to revisit it during budget deliberations.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was finalized with no items pulled for discussion.
• The consent agenda was approved unanimously (8-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Maurice Philson, a Joplin resident and licensed minister, spoke about an attempted suppression of his free speech. He stated that a phone call after the previous meeting warned him to "watch what you say" and that he was threatened with protests on his property if he spoke out of line. He expressed concern about a group's lifestyle and what it represents, while affirming his support for anyone's right to speak. Councilman Koppel responded by urging community respect and tolerance, noting that speakers no longer must provide their address to protect them from harassment.

Reports and Communications

• Public Information Officer Lynn Onstadt announced an overnight road closure on 7th Street from Florida Avenue to Rangeline Road on Thursday, May 7, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for Missouri American Water line work, with possible partial closure on Ozark the following day.
• Onstadt promoted a free tire drop-off event on Saturday, June 6, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., limited to 10 tires per vehicle, no larger than 20-inch rims, open to residents of Jasper, Newton, McDonald, Martin, and Vernon Counties.
• She reported that the Cleaner Joplin event on May 1 had 80 volunteers, collected trash from ten areas, and was organized with the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce and sponsors Eagle Pitcher, Joplin Avenue Coffee Company, and the Ozark Gateway Association of Realtors.
• The Momentum Bike Park grand launch party drew over 1,000 visitors. The park is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Joplin was chosen as one of four U.S. locations for the 2026 UCI pump track qualifier on August 15–16.
• Onstadt announced her retirement effective Friday, May 8, after 23 years and 3 months of service, and introduced her successor, Cassie Fawcett.

Public Hearings

• Council Bill 2026-266 (Rezoning): Ordinance to change zoning at 730 North Schifferdecker Avenue from M2 Heavy Industrial and C1 Neighborhood Commercial to C3 Commercial. The property owners, Andrea and Dexter Snyder, requested the change to expand their beauty salon, which was legally nonconforming. City staff noted surrounding commercial uses and recommended approval. No opposition was heard. The bill passed on first reading (8-0).
• Resolution 2026-008 (Special Use Permit): Request for a permanent special use permit for a duplex at 1721 South Joplin Avenue. The property had previously been rezoned to C2. Staff explained the permit is needed to preserve the downtown character. A shared parking agreement with the adjacent lot provides off-street parking. The applicant, not present due to a medical emergency, had appeared at the Planning and Zoning Commission. The resolution passed on first reading (8-0).
• Council Bill 2026-268 (Right-of-Way Vacation): Request to vacate a portion of Old Macintosh Circle near 3201 Macintosh Circle. The city had realigned the street in cooperation with Freeman Health Systems, and the original platted right-of-way was never vacated. No road would be lost, and utility easements would be maintained. The bill passed on first reading (8-0).

Discussion Items

• Resolution 2026-007 (CDBG/HOME Annual Action Plan): Presented by Mr. Walters. The city's FY2026 plan shifts homeowner rehabilitation from the HOME program to CDBG funds, allowing more flexibility. The substantial rehab program (up to $25,000 per home) will be run by nonprofit partners, while an emergency repair program (cap $5,000) will be operated in-house. Councilwoman Price asked about partnering with neighborhood watch to reach older residents; Walters said discussions were already underway. The resolution passed unanimously (8-0).
• Resolution 2026-009 (Lynn Onstadt Retirement Recognition): Council members paid tribute to Onstadt, who served as PIO since February 2, 2003, including leading communications during the 2011 tornado. The resolution was adopted unanimously (8-0).
• Council Bill 2026-350 (Demolition - 403 W 19th St): Contract with Prime Contracting Inc. for demolition, cost $7,110. The property was declared dangerous after a fire. The cost will be placed on a tax bill. Passed on an expedited basis (8-0).
• Council Bill 2026-351 (Demolition - 202 N Florida Ave): Contract with Courtney Construction for demolition, cost $13,600. The vacant structure was open to vagrants and vermin. Cost to be placed on a tax bill. Passed on an expedited basis (8-0).
• Council Bill 2026-006 (DWI Ordinance Update): Repeals and replaces Joplin City Code Section 114-171 to mirror state statutes on driving while intoxicated and driving with unlawful blood alcohol content, and repeals Section 114-172. The ordinance was last updated in 2001. Passed on first reading (8-0).
• Council Bill 2026-51/2026-510 (Schifferdecker Golf Course Fees): Proposed fee changes included a 10% discount for city employees, adding veterans to senior green fees and annual passes, and increasing regular green fees (e.g., 9-hole weekday from $12 to $14, 18-hole weekend from $25 to $27) and cart fees to offset revenue loss. Public speaker Phil Stinnett opposed the increase, arguing golfers shouldn't pay for city employee discounts. Staff presented the bill without a recommendation, noting the golf course had general fund subsidies of ~$240,000 in 2023, ~$17,000 in 2024, and ~$194,000 in 2025. Council members raised concerns about the estimated revenue impact and the effect on tee times. The council voted to strike the bill from the agenda (8-0) and requested staff bring alternate proposals during budget discussions. Note: The bill number appears as both 2026-51 and 2026-510 in the transcript.
• Council Bill 2026-609 (CVB Grant Funding): Approval for grants from the Convention and Visitors Bureau's fiscal 2026 grant program: $25,000 to Tough Bull Productions for the Route 66 Pro Rodeo (Memorial Day weekend) and $5,000 to Bright Future Safe and Sound Schools for their Bright Futures Coordinator Summit in September. The applications were reviewed by the CVB Advisory Board. Passed on first reading (8-0).

Key Outcomes

• Excused Councilmember Ryan Jackson from the meeting due to a work event (8-0).
• Approved Council Bill 2026-266, Resolution 2026-008, Council Bill 2026-268, Resolution 2026-007, Resolution 2026-009, Council Bills 2026-350, 2026-351, 2026-006, and 2026-609, all with 8-0 votes.
• Struck Council Bill 2026-51/510 from the agenda (8-0), with direction to revisit golf course fee alternatives during budget season.
• Directed the city manager to schedule a half-day council goal-setting retreat before budget discussions.
• New business included kudos to the Joplin High School ROTC for cleaning Landreth Park's Center Creek, and to the Parks Department for the successful Momentum Bike Park launch party.